1st round mock

This is my first mock that I'm posting here. Its not necessarily based off what I think teams will do, but what they should do. Let me know what you think!

1.     St. Louis Rams: Jimmy Clausen                  QB Notre Dame

I don’t think the Rams can pass up a chance to get a franchise quarterback like Clausen. Hes got all the tools you need to succeed, the arm, the accuracy, the size, and the leadership. Ndamukong Suh would be a good pick too, but I don’t think the Rams can go another season relying on Marc Bulger and the future hall of famer Keith Null.  

2.     Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh                        DT Nebraska

This is a no brainer, hes the most dominant player in the draft and the face of the Lions defense for a long time to come. Think of him as Jim Schwartz’s new Albert Haynesworth. Could go OT if the Rams select Suh, but they seem pretty OK with Backus letting Stafford get nailed all game.

3.     Bucs: Gerald McCoy                    DT Oklahoma

Tampa needs to revamp their defense, and they need to start in the middle. Their defense was at its best with Warren Sapp at DT and McCoy could sure up that spot for a long time. They could go DE or S.

4.     Redskins: Russell Okung                 OT Oklahoma St

The Redskins need a QB, but Campbell has been playing well, even without an OL, so I could see them giving him another chance for a year or two. Their line play has been atrocious all year and I don’t see Chris Samuels coming back and being effective, so why not pick up the best LT prospect of the year?

5.     Chiefs: Rolando McClain                ILB Alabama

Pioli needs a leader of the defense and a boost to his linebacking corps. Derrick Johnson is not a good fit in the 3-4, but McClain is perfect. He reads the plays extremely well and has all the physical tools to be a monster in the middle. Pioli picked Jarod Mayo a couple years back, and Tyson Jackson last year, so hes not afraid to pick for need, even if they aren’t the best player. Could go BPA because they need multiple positions.

6.     Seahawks: Eric Berry          S Tennessee

Eric Berry is one of the top prospects in this draft, and the only reason he slides this far is because safety isn’t the main needs for most of the top picking teams this year. Seattle’s secondary has been nonexistant this season, and their safetys aren’t cutting it. Berry will be a beast for years to come, and really bring the defense back to prominance in the coming years. Seattle could go OL to replace Walter Jones, or possibly get a replacement for Matt Hasslebeck.

7.     Browns: Sam Bradford

Holmgren is not going to keep Eric Mangini, and hes going to install his west coast offense in Cleveland. Bradford is perfect for the west coast, being deadly accurate in the short passing game, and not having to have a cannon arm, which he doesn’t. The browns could go for Berry, or pretty much any other position, because they don’t have much talent.

8.     Raiders: Derrick Morgan         DE Georgia Tech

Knowing Al Davis, this pick could go anywhere from Taylor Mays to Leigh Tiffin (only if he runs a fast 40). But I think that Derrick Morgan is where they should go. Hes the best player available, a supreme pass rusher, and Greg Ellis isn’t gonna be around much longer. He and Richard Seymore would cause so many problems for opposing O-lines. They are probably going to give Bruce Gradkowski another chance next year, so I don’t see Mallet happening, but you never know with Al Davis…

9.     Bills: Bruce Campbell          OT Maryland

I still really like Baluga, even though hes struggled this year. The Bills quarterbacks have been getting knocked around all year, and there is no question they need to go OL with this pick. Some may say quarterback, but I don’t think Mallet is good enough to warrant a top 10 pick, and Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t been playing too terribly this year.

10.  Jaguars: Earl Thomas                   S Texas

Reggie Nelson has been atrocious as a tackler this season, and the rest of the secondary for the Jags hasn’t been much better. I don’t think their owner is going to go on his word that he’s going to take Tebow, at least in the first round. Earl Thomas has been a beast at safety, and as long as he comes out, he’ll probably be a top 15 pick.

11.  Denver Broncos: Terrance Cody                 NT Alabama

I don’t see much that the broncos need. They have a good O-line, a pretty good secondary, and serviceable position players. I don’t think that Cody is worth a top 10 pick, but NT is a need for the Broncos and when hes on the field, Cody is a dominant player that will demand double teams.

12.  49ers: Joe Haden                CB Florida

This pick is in most mocks. The 49ers need secondary help, and Haden is the best corner in the draft. The niners could go OT, but they can pick that up with their next pick.

13.  Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap             DE Florida

Dunlap is sort of an anomoly. When he’s trying, he’s amazing for his size, but he’s not always trying. He’s also got some red flags on his profile, with his DUI before the SEC championship game. Tennessee’s D-line isn’t getting much younger, and they’ve been known to take some risks on some bad character, unmotivated guys (see: Albert Haynesworth). The Titans veteran locker room could be the best place for Dunlap to end up. They’ll put him in his place.

14.  San Francisco 49ers: Bryan Baluga         OT Iowa

San Fran already has their LT of the future in Joe Staley, and even though hes struggled this season, I think Baluga will be a perfect RT for the niners. They could go LB or safety with this pick, but I think Baluga is too good of a value to pass up.

15.  Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams              NT Tennessee

Jason Ferguson is old and injured. Dan Williams is a stud NT. This is a match made in heaven. The big tuna loves guys like Williams, and he’ll be a fixture on the Phins’ D-Line for years. They could go for a WR or a LB, but I think they could get value in later rounds for both those positions.

16.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Trent Williams              OT Oklahoma

Pittsburgh’s O line has been a mess the past few years, and they haven’t adressed it in the draft or free agency at all. Now is the time, before Big Ben gets too messed up. Trent Williams has struggled on the left this year, but before his switch, he was a top prospect. I believe the Steelers can develop him into a good to great Offensive lineman for them. Safety and CB are other options.

17.  Atlanta Falcons: Travis Lewis                OLB Oklahoma

The Falcons need some help on defense to return to prominance, and their outside linebackers have been underachieving. Will Witherspoon has been a nice surprise this year, but I can’t seen him being the same next year. Travis Lewis is a young, athletic backer who’s a bit underrated. Hes going to be a stud in a good 4-3 defense, especially playing next to Curtis Lofton. Could go for a corner or safety as well. Pick has to be defense

18.  Houston Texans: CJ Spiller                    HB Clemson

Houston’s rushing attack has been abysmal all season, and its obvious that Steve Slaton isn’t the answer at running back. Spiller is the most dynamic and all around solid runner in the draft class, and he has drawn some comparisons to Chris Johnson. If he turns out to be even half as good as CJ, the texans will have a superstar on their hands. He adds just another viable option to an already dangerous offense. They could go secondary here, but there is no way they can pass on Spiller here.

19.  Seahawks: Ryan Mallet                QB Arkansas

Mallet reminds me of Joe Flacco a couple years ago. Hes a bit of a project for whoever drafts him, so I think Seattle is a perfect landing spot for him. He can sit behind Hasslebeck for a couple years, and then show off his rocket arm to the NFL. He could go a lot earlier than this, but I think if he comes out, he isn’t falling past here. They could go OT here, but I don’t think they’ll let Mallet fall past them.

20.  Giants: Brandon Spikes                   MLB Florida

The giants need a lot of help on defense. Their safeties are garbage, and they have no linebackers. If Kenny Philips can come back healthy next season, I think this is the pick. Spikes brings intensity and leadership to a defense that could potentially be without Antonio Peirce. If Phillips is out next year I think that this pick becomes Morgan Burnett.

21.  Jets: Dez Bryant                        WR Oklahoma St

The Jets need some receivers that can actually catch the ball for Sanchez to throw to. Dez is a big, fast wideout with good hands. Many people say that Sanchez wants Damien Williams, but most people have Bryant gone by the time the Jets are picking too. This is a match made in heaven, since WR is the biggest position of need for the Jets by far.

22.  Ravens: Cameron Heyward                  DE Ohio St              

A lot of people are mocking a receiver to the ravens, and they definitely need one, but I think they’ll get one in free agency or through a trade, since they’ve always been linked to the WRs that are on the block. When you take a wideout out of the equation, you see their defense is getting old. Trevor price isn’t a spring chicken anymore and their other ends (unless you count Ngata as an end) don’t strike fear into anyone. Heyward is a good  3-4 DE that can rush the passer well, and I think he fits well into the Ravens’ aggressive scheme.

23.  Packers: Anthony Davis                  OT Rutgers

The packers need someone to block for their franchise QB, and Anthony Davis is a steal here. If he stays healthy he can be a dominant force protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side for his career. Drafting some youth in the secondary wouldn’t hurt either for the Pack.

24.  Cardinals: Ricky Sapp                               DE/OLB Clemson

Not many people have Sapp in the first round, but they really need to up their pass rush, and Sapp can really help. The Cardinals run a hybrid 4-3/3-4, and Sapp can rush either as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 OLB, so I think he can really help their D. An O-line prospect could be here too, but I don’t see anyone worth drafting at this spot.

25.  Bengals: Taylor Mays                        S/OLB USC

Taylor Mays gave up millions of dollars to go to school for another year, because this is about 20 picks lower than he wouldve gone last year. The Bengals made Roy Williams look pretty good again this year, and Mays is looking like a faster Williams. He fits perfectly in their system and if he doesn’t work as a safety, he can replace Dhani Jones at LB when they are done with him.

26.     Eagles: Brandon Graham                            DE Michigan

The Eagles are in need of a pass rusher to play opposite Trent Cole, and they do well with undersized prospects, like the aforementioned Cole. Some people say LB here, but once Stew returns, they’ll have good starters and backups, so they could draft a LB later, if at all in the draft. CB and OL are options as well.

27.  Patriots:  Jahvid Best                               HB Cal

The patriots running attack has done nothing this season and has gone through 4 or 5 backs. They need a permanent solution, and why not go with the Best? Best is a dynamic runner who is at his best going to the outside. Defense is an option, but there are good options in later rounds, where theyre at the best drafting.

28.  Vikings: Greg Hardy                     DE Mississippi

When healthy, Greg Hardy is a ridiculous pass rusher, but he isn’t healthy much anymore. The Vikes could upgrade their defensive end situation opposite to Jared Allen, and if Hardy can stay healthy, they will boast the best D-line no question in the NFL. CB is an option here.

29.  Cowboys: Morgan Burnett                   S Georgia Tech

The Cowboys need an upgrade over Gerald Sensabaugh, and Morgan Burnett can be a steal this late. They could also go DE or LB but I don’t see any good 3-4 prospects at this point.

30.  Chargers: Johnathan Dwyer                RB Georgia Tech

LT is nearing the end, and Sproles is not a featured runner. Dwyer is a powerful back that can do it all, block, catch and most importantly, run. A good nosetackle would be perfect, but unfortunately there are no first round calibur prospects around at this point.

31.  Saints: Sean Weatherspoon                                OLB Missouri                    

At this point Sean Weatherspoon is the most solid 4-3 OLB on the board, which is the Saints’ biggest need. He isnt spectacular, but he is the best at the position here. The Saints’ linebackers are just really average, and Weatherspoon would be an upgrade. Secondary is an option as well.

32.  Colts: Jared Odrick                                     DT Penn State         

The Colts are very small at their front 4, and Odrick can add some girth to them, as well as some talent. I think this a perfect fit, and good value at pick 32. They gotta go defense here.